A Testing Job (1968 film about the UK driving test)

A 1968 film from the Central Office of Information that demystifies the driving test and covers the training that driving examiners have to undergo.
For a "how to pass your driving test" video filmed at the same test centre in 1985, see here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2S0Z4yIg5l9pbM

[@zzhughesd]

Who doesn’t love old footage.

[@philrobinson005]

Amazing footage . Another world

[@scottchristie6734]

Interesting film with a message still relevant today.

[@ianjohnson1920]

I had to do a real emergency stop on my test when a kid ran out in front of me on Greenford Broadway in West London. The Hillman Hunter stalled and it took 3 attempts to get it to restart lol. I remember the examiner saying " Well done. I shant ask you to perform that ". :)

[@cafsixtieslover]

That is Mill Hill. I lived in Edgware for thirty years. I passed my driving test in 1974 fifth attempt. I used to go to pieces with nerves every time I took a test although I was fine in lessons. On the first test I got my father to park in front of me so I could read his number plate. I found the cure finally was to drive around for two hours beforehand rather than one, by which time my nerves had gone. I took my fifth test in Ilford and was told that there was one examiner who was a lot fairer than all the others and I would recognise him by his handlebar moustache. When the door opened and the examiners came out the examiner with the moustache came over to me. He was indeed very fair and was so glad to pass. I am sure what swung it was when I had to stop on a hill at a zebra crossing to let an old lady across just before I got back to the test centre. I also had lessons in a dark green Austin 1100 although I passed my test in a Hillman Avenger.

[@Larry]

They filmed a lot of public information films in this area, saw another one at the old Ruislip Manor test center. But check out the Google reviews of test centres, there's a lot of places that seem to have a fair examiner and a total stickler for rules that everyone despises.

[@Pannnda8]

5:30 "Whatever you do, some people would always complain the examiner is against them" haha this is so true even in these days

[@michaelkeen5010]

Brought back memories of my motorcycle test in 1971 and my car test in 1972, both passed first time.

[@alexmorrow4385]

At 15:30 she turns left into Wyre Grove in Edgware. You can see my parents house...23 years before we moved in. Amazing footage 👀

[@1mgvideo]

I remember my test in a 1966 Vauxhall Viva quite clearly (I passed). I also had to take a stringent test in 1972 to become a driving instructor which I passed first time. I never had any ambitions to become a driving examiner though

[@ianfryer8386]

The driving instructor is played by John Stone, and I believe Mrs Bell is played by Ann Bell.

[@heathstjohn6775]

John Stone ! Yes ! Thank you. Should never have remembered A performance of such earnest dependability , as typified him.

[@PeterSmith-ls7ut]

No indicator in the beginning when pulling up. Tut tut tut

[@eggsnbacon100]

Isn't that normal nowadays ????

[@pwareham61]

I noticed that

[@Mitch-Hendren]

Lucas electrical components.. ........ she'd turned them on ok 😏

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

There's actually quite a lot here that doesn't seem to have changed all that much over the years. The way modern examiners present and phrase things is more or less the same, except perhaps a bit more articulate in those days.

[@Larry]

The only things that have changed now, is a part using a satnav, no three point turns, reversing into minor roads, and learning to park facing traffic.

[@Keithbarber]

I have had 9 driving tests, 4 passes Car 2nd attempt Lgv c 4th attempt - rigid trucks Lgv c+e 2nd attempt - articulated trucks Pcv 1st attempt And still felt nervous before each test With my LGV tests, I kept having the previous test results keep giving me flashbacks But with my 2nd car and 4th lgv c+e tests, I THOUGHT I hadn't passed them, but the faults were marked as minors and was passed

[@SimonNoina]

The dear old 1100 - such an unbelievably easy, forgiving car to drive, especially when fairly new - just like the Austin A40 . Totally unlike the Ford Anglia 105E a lovely car, but with with its sharp clutch and easy stall possibility

[@uglycustard1]

That Austin 1100 needed a new rear subframe before the end of the test.

[@ArtyEffem]

That's assuming it wasn't raining, in which case the ignition would have given out.

[@SimonNoina]

The 1100 was such a nice, easy car to drive, especially when they were new/well looked after - you just had to drive them with some mechanical sympathy.. they didn't like & wouldn't put up with thrash & abuse for long without problems

[@chrispomphrett4283]

We had the up market Riley version with twin SU carbs. Sub frame still rotted the same!

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

Basil Fawlty had a unique way of attempting to jumpstart his 1100. Sadly it wasn't successful.

[@steve1962]

Took my test on a Wednesday afternoon in August 1984. - school holidays and half day closing for shops and banks ( who remembers that?). Had 4 lessons before the test and passed first time but I was 21 and had already spent 4 yrs on motorbikes so my hazard perception and reading of the road was already in place.

[@MarkPMus]

Oh blimey I had a bellyful of butterflies for that poor woman! I’m pretty sure I was given a few points to watch out for when I failed a test. I hadn’t looked properly when I pulled away from the test centre, and the examiner told me at the end, as well lecturing me on the percentage of accidents caused by people pulling out without looking! I passed my test in 1995, and it was more or less exactly the same as this, except I don’t remember having to do a hill start.

[@EdiDrums]

11:56 'Stop!... Thank you. I shan't ask you to carry out that exercise again.' - ie. If you I ask you to perform that manoeuvre again during the test, it will be for a real emergency.

[@gomosh6967]

Interesting video! Thank you for sharing it here. :)

[@mariaud999]

Fascinating, thanks for posting!

[@tommydronesmaaddaaah9911]

Gislene Maxwell ?!

[@TomRogersOnline]

What a superb video - really enjoyed this. Fascinating.

[@RD-ht6go]

New driver here. Driven in China for 4 years and passed in the UK this June 3rd time with 9 minors (I think. I admit I am a reckless driver and driving in another country doesn't help much.). It's interesting to see the perspective of the driving examiners, how they are trained and what has passed on from the olden days. Although now they do debrief the candidate and instructor about exactly how they failed the exam, and sometimes even how they made minor faults. The questions have been turned into "show me" / "tell me" style with standard-ish answers. And on modern cars you can use driving assist, which seems to help, although on the hill start I tend to ride the clutch really hard rather than using handbrake or hill-hold assist.

[@steves5172]

I took, and passed, my motor bike test in this same year. During the test the examiner was out of sight behind buildings, walls etc! He stayed safely on the pavement the whole time trusty clipboard in hand!

[@broadsworddannyboy5057]

Excellent video!

[@davids8449]

Remember taking my test in the original mini GT Happy days long long gone

[@TheDantheman12121]

11:58 "Get out of the road ya little bastard

[@minimaxi802]

A Mk4 Ford Zephyr is a big car for the driving test, long bonnet and short boot.

[@BassistPaul]

Brings back memories of my test, at the age of 18 in Hounslow, West London in 1972 - in my tatty Triumph Herald.

[@tommydronesmaaddaaah9911]

What time does Benny Hill show up as a Traffic Officer ?

[@heathstjohn6775]

I just CAN'T remember the name of the man delivering the talk to the class , at the beginning , and near the end ; I've seen him so many times. Please , could someone tell me. Thank you.

[@1mgvideo]

I too recognised him but I can't remember his name either. I think he often played plain clothes policemen.

[@jmm1233]

watching this thinking it one big heist training video for the big job of getaway

[@LeeLimerick]

Passed my test there in 1991.

[@darganx]

Is that Mill Hill?

[@LeeLimerick]

Yes, Bunns Lane

[@headheartandhips]

Examiners don't need to put on their safety belts?

[@dunebasher1971]

When this film was made, many cars on the road didn't have seatbelts at all. Starting in 1968, new cars had to have front belts, but it was not compulsory to actually wear them until 1983. Rear seat belts didn't become a legal requirement for new cars sold in the UK until 1986, and it wasn't compulsory to wear them until 1989 (for children under 14) and 1991 (everybody).

[@headheartandhips]

@@dunebasher1971 Thank you very much!

[@clivejohnson9515]

@@headheartandhips you really should know that!

[@headheartandhips]

@@clivejohnson9515 ¿ R e a l l y ? THX anyway :)

[@matta5160]

Although this was in the 60s examiners are still exempt from the seatbelt law (although most test centers insist as a matter of policy) Police, fire fighters, paramedics, taxi drivers and people with certain medical conditions are also exempt from the seatbelt law.

[@1pdonlon]

And hardly any use of indicators to be seen. #fail :😆🤣😆🤣

[@stephenborsbey4350]

the E reg cars are 1967 cortina is F reg 1968

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

F ran between August 1st 1967 and 31st July 1968, so it figures. I can't see anything with G so early 1968 sounds about right for this clip.